White paper

Double Ground Fault Protection Implementation

Double Ground Fault Protection

Index
1. Generalities .................................................................... 2 2. Application Description ................................................... 3 3. References ..................................................................... 5 4. Practical Guide .............................................................. 9 5. Bibliography ................................................................. 13

ABB | Double Ground Fault Protection 1

1. Generalities

The purpose of this White Paper is to offer the necessary guidelines for the correct implementation of the Double G function of ABB SACE low voltage circuit-breakers. With this function it is possible to ensure protection against: earth faults downstream the circuit-breaker on the secondary side of the Medium/Low voltage (MV/LV) transformer (unrestricted earth faults or downstream earth faults); earth faults between the transformer secondary windings and its cables connected to the circuit-breaker terminals (restricted earth faults or upstream earth faults).

The Double G is able to distinguish between each type of fault, restricted and unrestricted, thanks to a chrono-amperometric discrimination and to the MV/LV integration.

It is always available on New Emax circuit-breakers equipped with PR123/P LSIG trip units and on X1 circuit-breakers equipped with PR333/P LSIG trip units. The Double G function is easy to install and doesnt require special wiring.

2 Double Ground Fault Protection | ABB

2. Application Description

2.1 Introduction The loss of insulation between normally live conductors and exposed-conductive-parts may generate a fault which is generally called earth fault; it represents a danger for electrical systems and for people safety. Taking as example a typical MV/LV distribution substation, it is possible to identify three different areas where an earth fault could take place and three different kinds of earth protection that can be used:

2.2 Application solution Thanks to the PR123/P-LISG and PR333/P-LSIG trip units by ABB SACE and to the external toroid on the conductor connecting the star center of the transformer to earth1, the unrestricted and restricted faults are always detectable 2.

MV CB

Trip Unit with G protection LV

MV CB MV side

ACB LV side Homopolar toroid

Restricted Earth Fault

Unrestricted Earth Fault

Source ground return

Figure 2

These trip units allow two independent curves for G protection3:

Figure 1

unrestricted earth fault protection: it is the protection against earth faults on the load side of the air circuit-breaker (ACBs) put on the secondary of the transformer. This protection is obtained by using a circuit-breaker equipped with a trip unit that has earth fault protection G (or with a circuit-breaker equipped with an homopolar toroid for residual current protection or, only in the presence of high ground faults, with the normal phase protections of the circuit-breaker); restricted earth fault protection: it is the protection against earth faults in the section between the secondary of the transformer and the upstream terminals of the air circuitbreaker. This earth fault is not easily detectable by protections on the primary of the transformer, because the current value of this fault type is very reduced; source ground return: it is the protection against all earth faults either on the load side of the circuit-breaker or from the circuit-breaker terminals to the secondary of the transformer. This protection is obtained by using an external toroid on the conductor connecting the star center of the transformer to earth. In this case the toroid is able to detect all earth faults either on the supply side or on the load side of the circuit-breaker (restricted and unrestricted, but indiscriminately). With Double G function, it is possible to detect and discriminate between restricted and unrestricted faults.

Internal G only for the unrestricted fault (G protection of the trip unit). External G for both restricted and unrestricted faults (Gext protection of the trip unit). This offers the possibility to achieve a chrono-amperometric discrimination between the two G protection functions as shown, for example, in the time-current diagram below (Figure 3). In this way, it is possible to distinguish the restricted and unrestricted faults.

1 The external homopolar toroid, placed on the conductor connecting the transformer star centre to earth, must be located between the neutral conductor and PE conductor. In this way the currents that flow in the neutral dont pass through the homopolar toroid; on the contrary the currents that flow in the PE conductor are detected by homopolar toroid.

2 The trip unit is able to measure earth fault currents in a range from 0.05 In to 4 In. The standard operation range is from 0.3 In to 4 In with a tolerance equal to +/- 1.5%.

3 With PR122/P-LSIG or PR332/P-LSIG it is possible to set only either internal G protection (activated by ACBs current sensors) or external G protection (with the external homopolar toroid). In this case, by using Gext protection, it is not possible to distinguish between restricted earth fault and unrestricted earth fault.

ABB | Double Ground Fault Protection 3

2. Application Description

Time-Current curve

only the case in which the trip unit is programmed to allow the opening is taken into consideration. This possible trip cannot guarantee the complete plant protection because the fault occurs between the secondary of the transformer and the circuit-breaker terminals. In order to guarantee the complete protection of the plant, it is necessary to involve the protection device installed on the primary, that is the medium voltage circuit-breaker MVCB. Once the fault has been detected, the trip unit can made available an output signal to the MV circuit-breaker. The MV circuit-breaker detects the signal and commands the opening of the breaker ensuring the complete protection of the plant. Lets suppose that an unrestricted fault - downstream fault occurs in the plant:
Transformer secondary winding L1 Circuit-breaker Internal CTs

1Es

100s

10s External G: I4=0.5xIn, t4=0.5s

1s

0.1s

Internal G: I4=0.2xIn, t4=0.25s

0.1kA

1kA

10kA

Figure 3 Possible curves of the External and Internal G protections.

The settings of G and Gext protections must guarantee the discrimination: the Gext curve has always to be set at a higher value than G curve.

Now, lets suppose that a restricted fault - upstream fault occurs in the plant.
Transformer secondary winding L1 Circuit-breaker Internal CTs External toroid

L2

L3 N PE

L2 Figure 5

L3 External toroid N PE

Figure 4

Both G, external and internal, are activated and go into the timing phase. By apposite current and time settings of both protections (Internal G and External G), the low voltage circuit-breaker trips thanks to the internal G protection, assuring fault extinction and avoiding unnecessary opening of MV circuit breaker. Therefore, thanks to the time-current discrimination between the two G protection functions, before the MV breaker receives the opening command, the low voltage breaker is able to trip and eliminate the unrestricted earth fault.

Firstly the Gext protection is activated and, after the Gext protection timing, the low voltage circuit-breaker can open: in fact, in the trip unit, it is possible to select if the breaker must open or remain closed after Gext protection timing; hence

4 Double Ground Fault Protection | ABB

3. References

3.1 Application example Electrical distribution plant

MV CB Homopolar toroid MV-LV E2N 1600 4p PR123/P LSIG

MCCB LSIG

MCCB LSIG

MCCB LSIG

MCCB LSIG

L Figure 6 Electrical distribution plant

Consider an electrical distribution plant composed by: a MV circuit-breaker; a MV-LV transformer; an incoming LV air circuit-breaker as an E2N 1600 4p equipped with PR123/P LSIG trip unit (or X1N 1600 4P equipped with PR333/P LSIG); several supply-side circuit-breakers as MCCBs, equipped with G (or Rc residual current) protection; In order to guarantee the protection of the plant, Double G implementation requires:

to apply a homoplar toroid connected to the star center of the transformer to earth1; to apply and set the signalling module as PR120/K, PR021/K or LD030 DO in order to make available one contact to command the opening of the MV circuit-breaker. This contact must be programmed so that the contact, normally open, shall close when the trip unit of the LV circuit-breaker detects the fault thanks to the external G protection. The circuit diagrams below show the contacts available in the PR120/K (Figure 7-8), PR021/K (Figure 9) and LD030 DO (Figure 10) signalling units;
1 The external homopolar toroid, placed on the conductor connecting the transformer star centre to earth, must be located between the neutral conductor and PE conductor. In this way the currents that flow in the neutral dont pass through the homopolar toroid; on the contrary the currents that flow in the PE conductor are detected by homopolar toroid.

A4 X XV K9 XK6
Signalling module PR120/K

K9 K9 K10 9 XK6

K10 K10 K8 7 XK6

K8 K8 K6 5 XK6

K6 K6 K4 3 XK6

K4 K4 K10 1 XK6
Signalling module PR120/K

K10 K10 K8 9 XK6 7 XK6

K8 K8 K6 5 XK6

K6 K6 5 XK6 K4

K4 K4 1

A1

K51

K51 IN1

K51 p1 8 K5 K5

K51 p2 XK6 6

K51 p3 XK6 4

K51 p4
PR123/P

K51

K51 IN1

K51 p1 8 K9 K9

K51 p2 XK6 K7 6 K7 K7

K51 p3 XK6 K5 4 K5 K5

K51 p4
PR123/P

XK6 K7 XV X A4

10 XK6 K5 K7 K7

XK6 K3

2 K3 K3

XK6

10 XK6 K9

XK6 K3

2 K3 K3

Figure 7 PR120/K (4 Outputs + 1 Input with common terminal)

Figure 8 PR120/K (4 Outputs with independent terminals)

ABB | Double Ground Fault Protection 5

3. References

A1

K51

PR123/P

A1

K51

PR333/P

XK2 8 XK2 9 XK2 10 XK2 19

W3 W4 K1 K2

XR2 1 XR2 2 XR2 3 XR2 5

W3 W4 K1 K2

XV X

K1 K1

K2 K2

W3 W3

W4 W4

XV X13

K1 K1

K2 K2

W3 W3

W4 W4

+ 24 V

+ 24 V

A4 11 K51 1 K51 2 12 13 K51 3 14 15 K51 4 14 17 K51 5 18 19 K51 6 20 21 K51 7 22 23 K51 8 24 26 10

PR021/K

A4 25 1 2 7 8

A13 11 K51 1 K51 2 12 13 K51 3 14 15 K51 4 14 17 K51 5 18 19 K51 6 20 21 K51 7 22 23 K51 8 24 26 10

PR021/K

25 1

Figure 9 PR021/K signalling unit

k51

PR123/P PR333/P

For PR123/P with PR120/D-M module or PR333/P with PR330/D-M module only

XV X

W1 W1

X2 X2

XV X

K2 K2

K1 K1

W3 W3 W2

W4 W4

(A) (B) W1

+ 24 V 16 D07 15 17 13 D07 19 3 20 1 2 23 (A)

W2 24 (B)
LD030 DO

12 A31 D01 11 D02

10 D03 9

7 D04 8

6 D05 5

14 D06 13

Figure 10 LD030 DO PR120/K PR021/K contact Maximum switching power (resistive load) Maximum switching voltage Maximum switching current Breaking capacity (resistive load) @ 30V DC Contact/coil insulation Monostable STDP 100W / 1250 VA 130 V DC / 250 V AC 5A 3.3 A 2000V r.m.s. (1min@50Hz) @ 250V AC 5 A

and finally, to make the interlocking cabling between the signalling unit and the shunt opening release of the medium voltage circuit-breaker. For example, when the K51/P1 contact (PR120K) closes, the medium voltage shunt opening release receive the signal and command the opening of the MV circuit-breaker (Figure 11). For more detailed information about the way to interlock the medium and low voltage side, please consult the White Paper Integration between the MV protection and control unit REF 542 and LV protection trip unit PR123: selectivity and earth fault.

LD030 DO contact Maximum switching power (resistive load) Maximum switching voltage Breaking capacity (resistive load) @ 30V DC @ 250V AC

Monostable SPDT 150W, 2000VA 30V DC, 250V AC 5A 8A

6 Double Ground Fault Protection | ABB

K10 K10 K10

Restricted fault is only detected by the homopolar toroid; the LV circuit-breaker could open due to the Gext protection and the contact switches from the open to the closed condition. It follows that: the MV CB opens, since it is activated by the contact; the LV CB opens. As already described above, the trip unit is enabled to open the LV circuit-breaker because of Gext protection. In the most common plants, the LV circuitbreaker must to open when the MV circuit breaker trips due to the Gext protection.

XK6

7
X21/d10

K51 p1 XK6 K9 8 K9 K9

-AR (803)

X21/d12

-XX -XB 9 -XB -XB12 -XB11

11 7 -08

-BB3 -BB1
2

Case 2 - Unrestricted fault: in case of earth fault occurring in the installation area downstream the air circuit-breaker ACB, the incoming air circuit-breaker trips due to the internal G protection.
K10 Transformer secondary winding L1 Emax internal CTs K10 K10 XK6 7 K51 p1 L3 External toroid N K9 K9 K9 7 Figure 13 Unrestricted fault PE XK6 8

Caption AR: REF 542 protection unit BB1, BB3: auxiliary contacts TR1: AC/DC converters MO1: opening coil K51/p1: contact of PR120/K module Figure 11

-TR1

-XB11

-MO1

-XB

Three different scenarios might occur in the electrical plant: Case 1 - Restricted fault: in case of earth fault occurring in the installation area comprised between the MV-LV TRAFO and the incoming ACB, the MV circuit-breaker must trip.
K10 Transformer secondary winding L1 Emax internal CTs K10 K10

L2

XK6

L2 K51 p1

L3 External toroid N PE

XK6 K9

Unrestricted fault is detected by both the homopolar toroid and by the internal G, but, because of the settings, internal G protection is faster than external G protection (Gext). The contact remains open because the protection Gext goes into protection timing but the fault is extinguished before the protection timing phase ends. It follows that: the LV ACB opens because of internal G protection trip; the MV CB does not open, since it is not activated by the contact.

K9 K9 Figure 12 Restricted fault

ABB | Double Ground Fault Protection 7

3. References

Case 3: In case of an earth fault occurring in the installation area downstream the MCCB load side, only the moulded-case circuit-breaker trips due to G, Rc, L, S, I protection activation. Unrestricted fault is detected by the homopolar toroid, by the internal G of the ACB and by the internal G (or Rc) of the MCCB. By appropriate settings, the internal G (or Rc) protection of the MCCB should be faster than the internal G protection and the external G protection of the ACB.

It follows that: the G (or Rc) protection of the downstream MCCB is activated to extinguish the earth fault; the LV ACB does not open; the MVCB does not open, because it is not activated by the contact.

If the MCCB has not G (or Rc) protection, it must open before the LV ACB due to selectivity. In this case the time to extinguish the earth fault depends on the earth fault intensity.

K10 Transformer secondary winding L1 ACB internal current sensors MCCB internal current sensors K10 XK6 7 K51 p1 XK6 PE K9 K9 K9 Figure 14 Earth fault downstream the MCCB 8 Double Ground Fault Protection | ABB 8 K10

L2

L3 External toroid N

4. Practical Guide

4.1 Shopping list section As already shown in the previous paragraphs, the Double G needs specific equipment: 1. the new Emax with PR123/P-LSIG trip unit or Emax X1 with PR333/P-LSIG trip unit; 2. the homopolar toroid for the main power supply grounding conductor; 3. the signalling module: PR120/K only for New Emax circuitbreakers. Otherwise it is possible to use the PR021/K or LD030 DO with a separate 24VDC auxiliary power supply. If you have a low voltage air circuit-breaker Emax X1, the PR021/K or LD030 DO are always needed because the PR120/K is not available. As regards the PR120/K, PR021/K and LD030 DO signalling units, it is possible to set them by: programming Free-Software SD-TestBus2 or SD-Pocket that can be downloaded (free) from the Business On Line website http://bol.it.abb.com; the configuration Test Unit PR010/T.

1. External homopolar toroid installation and settings

Apply the homopolar toroid on the conductor connecting the star centre of the transformer to earth and connect it to the terminal box or to the fixed part sliding contacts. The external toroid must be connected to the trip unit by means of a cord shielded two-wire cable with length not exceeding 15 m. The shield must be earthed both on the circuit-breaker side as well as on the toroid side. More details are available in the instruction sheet and are summarized below: cable and set the external homopolar toroid according to the rated service current range. For example, in order to obtain a current range3 of 400/800A, choose clamps 1 and 3;

When choosing SD-TestBus2 or SD-Pocket, a communication network is needed and one of these components may be chosen: communication module PR120/D-M (Modbus RTU) for New Emax or PR330/D-M for Emax X1; internal wireless communication module PR120/B-T; external wireless/usb communication module BT030.

Homopolar

Terminal Box on CB T7 T8 T8 -

4.2 Testing field section In this section it is shown how to set each device in order to make available the Double G function. The customer has to follow three easy steps: 1. external homopolar toroid installation and settings; 2. setting of signalling module PR120/K, PR021/K and LD030 DO; 3. trip unit protection settings.

Toroid clamp 1 2 3 4

In range

100 / 250A 400 / 800 A

Figure 15 External homopolar toroid

connect the cables to the terminal box of the breakers into the apposite contacts T7-T8. In the pictures below, the example of the terminal box for Emax fixed version.
3 The accurate current value of the homopolar toroid is set through the trip unit settings.

ABB | Double Ground Fault Protection 9

4. Practical Guide

SD-TestBus2 In the presence of PR120/D-M for New Emax or PR330/D-M for Emax X1, follow these instructions: 1. choose settings from MENU page of PR123/P (or PR333/P) 2. select Modules 3. select COM Module 4. select Local/Remote 5. after password input, select Remote 6. write down the Serial Address and Baudrate 7. start SD -Testbus2 software in your PC 8. in the Bus menu, select Scan 9. select EvenParity 10. select Serial Address and Baudrate from PR123/P (or PR333/P) menu.

Figure 16 Emax terminal box fixed version

In order to set the external toroid (and consequently Gext), from the Main Menu of PR123/P or PR333/P trip units: 1. choose Settings 2. select Circuit Breaker 3. select Ground Protection 4. select External Toroid 5. enter the trip unit password 6. select Source Ground Return 7. select Toroid size. Four thresholds are available: 100A 250A, 400A and 800A 8. press ESC until you get the confirmation message 9. press Confirm. The settings are updated.

In the presence of PR120/D-BT or BT030/USB (wireless mode): 1. start SD -Testbus2 tool 2. in the Bus menu, select Bluetooth 3. select your PR123/P (or PR333/P). Once the connection is available, it is possible to set the signalling unit PR120/K (or PR021/K or LD030 DO): 1. in the browse menu of the SD-TestBus2 that appears on the left, select PR120/K configuration (or PR021/K configuration) 1, 2. in the P1 contact area, as shown in the figure below, (or K51/1 contact for PR021/K), press Custom in the Function field, 3. move to Byte Offset #8

2. Setting of the signalling module PR120/K, PR021/K and LD030 DO To regulate the programmable contacts of PR120/K or PR021/K, it is necessary to use one of the following external devices: SD-TestBus2 SD-Pocket PR010/T

Figure 17
1 In SD-TestBus2, in order to set the LD030 DO, use the PR021/K page configuration.

10 Double Ground Fault Protection | ABB

PR010/T A) Instruction to set PR120/K Signalling module

4. 5. 6.

select Gext alarm (blocked trip) set this contact to NO (normally open) press "Submit"

Connect the PR010/T to the trip unit: 1. 2. select Operation mode and press Enter select DUT PR123 for New Emax CB or PR333 for X1 and press Enter select 4. Config/Param and press Enter choose 1. Configurations and press Enter select 9. Modules and press Enter select 3. Signalling and press Enter select 1. Relay 1 and press Enter select 1. Signal source and press Enter insert Password (if required) and then press Enter , the signal source Custom and press

It is also possible to choose: contact Latched or Not latched. Contact latched is activated when the associated event happens; they are reset only by the reset of the circuit-breaker or of trip unit; it is possible to set a delay time, i.e. a time shift respect to the event that changes the normal status of the contact.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

SD-Pocket Start SD-pocket tool Log-in as Administrator Select the device PR123/P or PR333/P (on the trip unit a device type PR120/D-BT or BT030 must be installed) 4. Press Connect, press Enter select PR120/K configu5. In the toolbar, select Menu ration (or PR021/K or LD030 DO configuration) 6. In Function, select Custom 7. Move to Byte Offset #8 8. Select Gext alarm (blocked trip) 9. Set this contact to NO (normally open) 10. In order to accept the configuration, press SET 11. Yes to save. It is also possible to choose: contact Latched or Not latched; it is possible to set a delay time, i.e. a time delay respect to the event that changes the normal status of the contact. 1. 2. 3.

10. select, by Enter

11. move, by , to Alarm 2 13 12. set the blinking cursor to Gext alarm, scroll select Gext alarm , press and

and press Enter.

13. enter in Configuration, select NO (Normally Open). 14. press Esc until you have the possibility to save the configuration 15. save Configuration.

ABB | Double Ground Fault Protection 11

4. Pratical Guide

B) Instruction to set PR021/K and LD030 DO signalling modules.

3. Trip unit protection settings The parameters of internal G protection and external G protection (Gext) have to be set in order to guarantee a chronoamperometric discrimination between the two curves: protection Gext settings must have both trip thresholds and trip time parameters higher than those set for protection G.

Please note: the rated service current (In) for G protection is the rated service current of the circuit-breaker, while the rated service current for function G ext is the rated service current of the toroid (100A, 250A, 400A or 800A); a minimum 20% difference between the current parameters of the two thresholds is needed; as regards the trip times, a difference of 100 ms between the two parameters is needed; the trip unit is able to measure earth fault currents in a range from 0.05 In to 4 In. The standard operation range is from 0.3 In to 4 In with a tolerance equal to +/- 1,5%.

For example, a possible configuration for a New Emax E1N800 PR123 In 800A and a toroid with In equal to 800 A, is the following one:
G protection Gext protection Trip threshold I4 = 0.2 xIn = 160A Trip threshold I4 = 0.5 xIn = 400A Trip Time t = 0.25s t=k Trip Time t = 0.5s t=k

The signalling unit must be connected to the trip unit. Connect PR010/T to the trip unit and repeat the steps from 1 to 4 of the PR120/K setting, and afterwards: 1. select 10. Local Bus Unit and press Enter 2. select 2. Relay 1 and press Enter Follow the instructions of PR120/K from the 8th step.

In order to avoid the opening of the low voltage circuit-breaker after the Gext protection trip, in case of restricted earth fault, follow these instructions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. select Protection in the Main Menu of the trip unit select Gext Protection press Enable and enter the password select On select Trip Enable select OFF press Esc and confirm the changes.

It is also possible to choose: contact Latched or Not latched. it is possible to set a delay time, i.e. a time delay with respect to the event that changes the normal status of the contact.

12 Double Ground Fault Protection | ABB

5. Bibliography

Distribution system and protection against indirect contact and earth fault (1SDC007102G0201) New Emax Technical Catalogue (1SDC200006D0205) Emax X1 Technical Catalogue (1SDC200009D0203) New Emax Installation and Service Instructions (1SDH000460R0002) Operating instructions for T7-T8-X1 low voltage air circuitbreaker protection releases ( 1SDH000587R0002) Instruction sheet for homopolar toroid for the main power supply grounding conductor (star center of the transformer) (1SDH000460R0507) Instructions sheet for PR120/K, PR120/D-M (1SDH000460R0509) Instructions sheet for PR333 X1 microprocessor-based electronic release and module (1SDH000529R0504) Instructions sheet for PR021/K (1SDH000559R0002) White Paper "Integration between the MV protection and control unit REF 542 and LV protection trip unit PR123: selectivity and earth fault" (1SDC007402G0201) Signalling unit LD030 DO (1SDH000671R0001).

ABB | Double Ground Fault Protection 13

Contact us

ABB SACE A division of ABB S.p.A. L.V. Breakers Via Baioni, 35 24123 Bergamo - Italy Tel.: +39 035 395 111 Fax: +39 035 395306-433 www.abb.com

Copyright 2009 ABB. All rights reserved.

1SDC007403G0201 - 03/2009

The data and illustrations are not binding. We reserve the right to modify the contents of this document on the basis of technical development of the products, without prior notice.